[MassHistPres] Energy Scorecards

[Russ Feldman]

Several weeks ago there was a discussion of the Governor's proposal to mandate "energy scorecards" for private residences, House bill 4371.  Stimulated by a Globe article, there were concerns expressed about how this will result in homeowners pushing to make energy improvements that will strip away important elements from historic properties.
Attached is a summary of the actual legislative language, prepared by John Nunnari, the Executive Director of the Mass AIA.  It very thoroughly summarizes, section by section, the specifics of the proposal.
What's important to understand is that, as presently written, this bill is not concerned with construction and does not stipulate any approach to either design or construction.  Rather, it requires the Department of Energy Resources to establish a consistent methodology for measuring a home's energy performance and creates a program of home energy auditors who then analyze the existing building, measure its energy performance, and provide that scorecard to homeowners.  These scorecards will be required when homes are put up for sale.
It aims to improve energy performance of our housing stock and it is neutral regarding preservation.  For this reason, the AIA will likely support it.
As we see it, the issue isn't energy conservation versus preservation.  Rather, it's about educating homeowners and builders about how to best achieve energy efficiency.  The Globe article mentioned installing new double glazed windows as a way to save energy and it's that conventional wisdom where the concerns arise.  As most of the readers of this Listserv understand very well, a good case can be made that preserving the original wood windows supplemented by good storm windows can be the best solution for both economic and preservationist reasons.
This issue isn't about the proposed legislation but rather about the regulations that will follow it.  Those regulations will establish the credentials for home energy auditors and the training curriculum for auditors - and it's the auditors who will be advising homeowners on how to go about making their homes more energy efficient.  We see this program as an opportunity to improve how we make our older and historic buildings more energy efficient, which itself can help ensure their preservation.
Legislation takes time to move through the committee process and the House and Senate have a lot of work to do in the waning months of this legislative season, so it may be a while before this bill is actively considered.  But when the time comes it will be important that the preservation community makes its voice heard about the importance of both energy sustainability and historic preservation.
If anyone has questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Russ Feldman, chair
Mass AIA Government Affairs Committee
rfeldman at tbaarchitects.com<mailto:rfeldman at tbaarchitects.com>


[TBA Inverted green back without text]

M. Russel Feldman, AIA, NCARB
Principal | TBA Architects, Inc.
43 Bradford Street, Suite 300 | Concord MA 01742
tel: 781 893-5828 x 25 | mobile: 617 429-5033
www.tbaarchitects.com




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